The heart does not impress by its size. However, the heart muscle is the strongest. The figures say it all: the heart beats from the womb, registering about 100,000 beats a day, which means that in a lifetime of 70 years, we have about 2.5 billion heartbeats. In a single day, the heart pumps about 7,200 liters of blood. This is why the heart needs large amounts of oxygen and nutrients. The heart does not always work optimally, for many reasons, and cardiovascular conditions claim a large number of victims worldwide. The pace of life, and especially stress, is unlikely to change much in the future.
The heart, which is the size of a fist, is a sophisticated pump. The heart pumps blood into the body with each beat. Averaging 70 beats per minute, with an increase at times of stress or excitement. The four chambers of the heart are separated into two atria at the top and two ventricles at the bottom. The term “myocardium” refers to the heart muscle.
Systolic indicates that the heart is contracting to push blood from the chambers. As the heart unwinds, blood flows back in, and the cycle is repeated. Blood is carried from the heart to the body by arteries. The arteries and veins are connected by microscopic blood vessels known as capillaries. Blood is returned to the heart through the veins.
What are cardiovascular conditions?
Under this name, cardiovascular conditions, and heart conditions are known. Cardiovascular diseases are disorders that involve both the heart and the blood vessels. Atherosclerotic diseases (especially coronary heart disease) are the most common. In these cases, the blood vessels are progressively blocked by fatty deposits called plaques, and blood flow to the heart is reduced.
Cardiovascular disease can be prevented. Eliminating health risk behaviors would prevent at least 80% of these diseases.
Risk factors
Anyone can develop heart disease, regardless of age. There are several factors that we find in types of heart disease such as:
smoking
unhealthy diet
a sedentary lifestyle
high cholesterol
high blood pressure
high blood glucose and lipid levels
overweight/obesity
social, economic, and cultural changes (urbanization, aging, poverty, stress).
These risk factors are responsible for at least 80% of heart problems (coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease).
Types of heart conditions
Heart-related disorders are referred to as cardiovascular diseases. Usually, heart attacks, strokes, and discomfort in the chest are caused by constriction or obstruction of blood vessels. When blood clots develop and impede the flow of blood to the heart or brain, a heart attack or stroke takes place.
The four main forms of cardiovascular disease are as follows:
• Coronary artery disease – heart failure, arrhythmia, and issues with the heart valves
• Stroke – which can be ischemic (blood flow to the brain is cut off) or hemorrhagic (brain blood vessels burst).
• Peripheral artery disease – which results in improper blood flow to the extremities.
• Aneurysmal disease of the aorta.
Causes of cardiovascular disease
The most common cause of heart disease is atherosclerosis, but there are other causes of cardiovascular disease:
high blood pressure
diabetes
coronary artery disease
stress
heart malformations
bacteria, viruses, parasites (heart infection)
smoking
alcohol.
Symptoms of cardiovascular conditions
The symptoms of cardiovascular disease differ depending on the type of heart disease. But the most common symptoms are:
severe chest pain
coldness in the limbs
cold sweats
arrhythmia
swelling of the legs
difficulty moving
fever
frequent coughing.
It is also useful to review the symptoms of myocardial infarction:
chest pain or discomfort (more than a few minutes)
pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back
weakness, nausea, cold sweats
pain in the arms/shoulders
difficulty breathing.
If you or someone nearby seems to be suffering from these symptoms, call 112 immediately.
Diagnosing cardiovascular disease
The doctor is the one who requests certain investigations depending on the symptoms, to ascertain the condition of the heart. He or she may request the following investigations:
chest X-ray
coronary angiogram
electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG)
stress test
biofeedback session – made with special devices ED-X and NUCLEUS, which, in their Matrix and even at a first session, can spot any irregularities that can lead to cardiovascular problems.
Preventing cardiovascular conditions
Nobody can predict if they may eventually get cardiovascular disease. You can only minimize your chance of acquiring cardiovascular disease by taking action. The following advice will assist you in leading a healthy life:
Avoid smoking, keep a healthy weight, follow a healthy diet, exercise frequently, manage diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, minimize salt in the diet, consume fresh fruit and vegetables, avoid saturated fats, and reduce stress.
Cardiovascular disease is very common, and patients range in age from very young to very old. Diseases are diverse and untreated worsen them. Often it is too late to see a doctor. The good news is that cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by following a few tips mentioned above and by being informed regarding this topic.